SJRES 62119th CongressIntroduced

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".

Introduced: Jul 10, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND] (R-North Dakota)

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill is a joint resolution using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to disapprove a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule. Specifically, it targets the North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan, issued January 14, 2025. If Congress passes this resolution and it becomes law, the rule would have no force or effect, meaning the BLM could not implement that particular ROD/RMP and would need to operate under prior rules or plans. The resolution cites a Government Accountability Office (GAO) letter dated June 25, 2025, which concluded that the challenged document is a rule under the CRA. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 10, 2025 by Senators Cramer (also with Senator Hoeven) and was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Key Points

1Purpose: Disapprove the Bureau of Land Management’s North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan under the Congressional Review Act; the rule shall have no force or effect if enacted.
2Legal mechanism: Uses a joint resolution of disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code (the CRA); if enacted, the rule does not take effect.
3Supporting citation: The bill references a GAO opinion dated June 25, 2025, included in the Congressional Record (June 26, 2025), which concluded that the ROD/RMP is a rule under the CRA.
4Status and sponsorship: Introduced in the Senate on July 10, 2025 by Senator Cramer (for himself and Senator Hoeven); referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
5Scope: Applies specifically to the BLM’s North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan; not a broader reform of BLM authority beyond this rule.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- North Dakota public lands managed by the BLM, including decisions about land use, energy development, grazing, recreation, and conservation in that field office.Secondary group/area affected:- Stakeholders connected to North Dakota lands such as energy developers (oil and gas), ranchers and farmers, local governments and communities, and environmental or conservation groups.Additional impacts:- If enacted, the rule would be voided, potentially reverting management decisions to prior plans or requiring a new regulatory process. It could affect permitting timelines, land-use projects, and ongoing or planned activities in the North Dakota field area. There could also be procedural and political considerations given the CRA framework (e.g., coordination between Congress and the Executive Branch, potential future challenges to BLM planning).

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